Nigeria’s Young Innovators Set to Shine at Coderina University Challenge 2025 Grand Finale

The stage is set for the grand finale of the Coderina University Challenge (COUCH) 2025, as the country’s top 10 student-led innovation teams gather at the National Universities Commission Secretariat in Abuja on 20 November, organisers announced on Tuesday.

Hosted by the Coderina Education and Technology Foundation, COUCH seeks to spark creativity, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial thinking among Nigerian university students. The 2025 edition has drawn remarkable participation, with students designing technology-driven solutions to address real-world challenges.

This year’s finale coincides with Global Entrepreneurship Week, a global celebration of innovators and job creators under the theme “Together We Build.” The timing highlights Nigeria’s dedication to nurturing a generation of innovators capable of driving inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Government, academic, industry, and private sector stakeholders are expected to attend the event to witness the ingenuity of these young innovators and explore opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and investment.

Olajide Ajayi, Founder of Coderina, emphasized that the programme bridges the gap between academic knowledge and industry needs, promoting innovation-led education nationwide.

The top 10 finalist teams include:

Neuronaut Robotics (Nile University of Nigeria): Autonomous underwater vehicles for subsea pipeline inspection.

Team Green (Kwara State University): SUNPOD, a portable solar-powered station for off-grid electricity.

Team CIRCLE (Federal University of Technology Akure): AI- and IoT-driven waste management system.

Pup Industries (Ahmadu Bello University): Eco-friendly, mosquito-repellent paint from plastic waste.

Waste2Light (Federal University of Technology Minna): Transforming waste materials into sustainable energy solutions.

ScrapLink (Lagos State University): AI-powered digital marketplace for small-scale scrap metal sellers.

ADSU Fresh Innovators (Adamawa State University): Eco-friendly lubricant grease from polyethylene waste.

Team IMSU (Imo State University): Converts palm oil waste into clean energy and biochar.

ReGenX (Kaduna State University): Biodegradable packaging material that can transform into biofertiliser.

EcoCircular Labs (Igbinedion University): Converts palm oil byproducts into sustainable biofertiliser.

Over the years, COUCH has become a national platform showcasing how Nigerian youth are using technology and creativity to reimagine the future.